The next morning we got up very early

The next morning we got up very early. "To head into town at a decent hour," Juniper explained. I hadn't seen her for a while. She said she was really busy tending to the matters of the group.

I myself was relieved. Only a few more hours! In fact, I wanted to head out right away!

When we began heading out I was by Beth again. She was in a rather strange mood. I wasn't sure it was me (maybe hearing me out in the woods last night) but then I saw a boy walk back. Just as he passed he laughed and Beth stiffened beside me. I looked at the boy, short blonde her and eyes of an extreme blue. His smile was a smirk he walked in a cocky confidence that disturbed me.

He came up to us on the way back. "Why, hello there. I haven't properly introduced myself," he bowed and looked up at us. He had a thick accent of sorts. "I go by the name of Svardik."

Beth grumbled, "He's Russian."

"So?" I whispered back. She didn't reply.

"Well, Svardik," I said. The name felt SO strange on my tongue. "It's very nice to meet you," Ugh, I didn't like the look in his eyes. They were glued to Beth and I'm pretty sure she could feel them herself even without the ability to see.

"Ah, but the pleasure is mine," he replied, maintaining that smile.

"Yes, ummmm, I have to go talk to….someone," I said. I could tell something was strange with him.

"Ok," Beth said, suddenly talking again. "I'll see you in a bit then," and she suddenly grinned.

I turned and then was suddenly sure at what had just happened. She and him? Beth and that man? My Beth with the likes of someone like that!

I walked away, kind of happy to be away from it all.

I went up to Juniper. "Hello,"

"Raina," Juniper said happily as I came up, "So niece you're 'ere. Been needin' to talk to you," she said.

"Oh?" I answered. "What about?"

"We're just getting to town and I was wonderin if you could do something for me."

"Want Beth too?" I asked. "I'll go get her…"

"No tha's all right," she said suddenly and smiled. This smile was beginning to freak me out.

I stopped. "Oh,"

"When we reach town, I'll tell you at the inn."

I nodded and we walked on for the last bit of the way.

"So here we are," I said to Beth. She was beside me again. She had caught up not long after my strange conversation with Juniper.

We were sitting in the middle of the town's square. Juniper had gone off to find rooms in the inn. When I was worried about so many people Beth just told me that Juniper had known the person there and that it was no problem.

Juniper came up to us. "Raina, I was curious to know if you were all right with sharing a room."

This was a very confusing question because I had already expected to…. "Yes, of course," I answered.

She held up her finger and raised her eyebrow. "With Cal," she added.

This stopped me. No! Why him? Stupid, idiotic, confusing…

"Raina are you all right?" Juniper asked.

I looked at her. "Quite," I answered, taking a deep breath. How hard could it be?

I nodded.

"Well then tha's good. Want to join us inside?" She asked.

Beth answered. "Yes, that would be fine."

I followed them inside and we were instantly hit by loud music of the piano as well as cheers and dancing.

"Want a pint of ale!" the bartender asked us. "You're a friend of Junipers right?"

I shook my head. "No thank you," I answered. "Yes, I'm acquainted with Juniper."

He smiled warmingly. Probably the best smile I'd seen in a while. There was no deceivance behind it. Right now that's what I needed. No lies.

"Ah, well you're in good hands then."

I smiled. "Yes,"

I sat on a stool. Everyone was talking and loud and rowdy as well.

Ugh, and I had a headache.

I came back up to the bar tender after finishing my drink. "Thank you for this. Where are the rooms?"

"Ah, been a long day huh? You're new to all this I suppose."

I nodded.

"Up the stairs. You're Raina right? Well it's the 5th door on the right.

"Thank you," I answered gratefully and headed up the stairs.

My head was still light headed from the wine. Mother usually only let me drink it at parties and since father had died, parties were rare.

I walked down the hall. It was very dark and I counted the doors, finding mine, and walked in.

It was empty, to my relief. All I saw was a bed which I was grateful for. I walked forward and then tripped on something, stumbling to the floor.

"Wha' the…" I heard someone mumble.